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Soldiers yesterday invaded Amangwu, a community in Ohafia council of Abia State in search of a stockpile of weapons.

The soldiers from 14 Brigade Headquarters located in the area reportedly stormed the community in several patrol vans.

A local source said they came unannounced, creating fear among the villagers who were preparing to return to their farms after Monday’s sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

“We are yet to get over the trauma of the last time soldiers invaded our community in June. So, when we saw them, a lot of people who were coming back to the village were asked not to come in, while those that went to farm had to take refuge in other neighbouring communities.

“Last night, we couldn’t sleep well because we heard the sound of what seemed to be a jet fighter around the village. But we told ourselves that it could be soldiers who are carrying out military exercise going on in the Southeast or maybe the jet fighter was just passing. But in the morning, our fears were confirmed. I will not tell you what the situation or tension was like. The village was enveloped with fear because there was no information of any military exercise in our village.”

Spokesman of the Army Brigade Omale Prince confirmed the presence of soldiers in the community but debunked the killing and burning of houses as alleged by some villagers.

He said the soldiers were in the village after receiving intelligence that some persons were stockpiling arms there, adding that the soldiers left after finding neither the weapons nor the persons said to be stockpiling them.